BRICS 2026 beyond the Declaration: An Indian feast, Bollywood tunes by the Malaysian PM, and more - The Hindu

**BRICS 2026: Cultural Showcase and Diplomatic Signals in Johannesburg** The 15‑nation BRICS summit, held from 9‑11 September in Johannesburg, turned into a stage for India’s soft power as the host nation presented a grand “Indian feast” featuring regional cuisines and a spectacular cultural evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the celebrations with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the newly inaugurated “Indo‑BRICS Pavilion,” followed by a performance by the Delhi‑based dance troupe *Nritya Kala* and a tasting menu curated by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna. The evening took an unexpected pop‑culture turn when Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, an avowed Bollywood enthusiast, joined Indian actors to sing classic songs from *Sholay* and *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaan*. The light‑hearted moment was widely shared on social media, underscoring the summit’s blend of high‑level diplomacy and cultural outreach.

Beyond the festivities, the summit produced substantive policy outcomes. Delegates reached a consensus on a “coordinated response to the conflict in Iran,” deliberately omitting direct references to the United States, Israel or Tehran, a phrasing that analysts say reflects a collective desire to present a unified front on global security issues. In a keynote address, Modi warned of the “weaponisation of critical minerals and emerging technologies,” urging member states to develop safeguards against supply‑chain vulnerabilities. Chinese President Xi Jinping, present in the main plenary, echoed the call for “strategic autonomy” while emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation in the mining and semiconductor sectors. The joint declaration also reaffirmed the BRICS commitment to reforming international financial institutions, proposing a new “Digital BRICS Reserve” backed by a basket of commodities, including rare‑earth elements.

The summit’s agenda intersected with domestic headlines back in India. On the same day, Greater Noida’s district magistrate filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging an Allahabad High Court order that had allowed the detention of a university student under the National Security Act—a case that has drawn scrutiny over civil‑liberty safeguards. Observers noted that the domestic legal tussle, coupled with Modi’s emphasis on technology security, signaled a broader narrative of India asserting sovereignty both at home and on the world stage. As the BRICS bloc moves forward, the blend of cultural diplomacy, strategic consensus, and internal political currents will shape its role in a rapidly shifting multipolar order.